SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A witness who testified at the Northland Mall security guards trial said he’s glad he took video of the incident.
Neihmiah Nelson was hanging out at the mall in January 2014 when he saw McKenzie Cochran and five security guards arguing.
“Some of that stuff is traumatizing when you see stuff like this as you got to live with it,” Nelson said.
Cochran died, and the security guards were charged in 2021 with involuntary manslaughter.
On Friday (Aug. 23), a jury found the security guards not guilty.
Nelson’s cell phone video of the incident was evidence the jury considered.
“I’m real glad that I took that video,” Nelson said.
Nelson said the video helps tell the story of what happened that day.
Nelson is disappointed in the not-guilty verdict.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose a family member to nothing,” Nelson said. “Even if he was committing a crime, if he said he can’t breathe, at least ease up on the detainment.”
Three of the five security guards stood trial. Another security guard pled guilty last week. The fifth security died in 2017.